Originally a country home, Grim’s Dyke has a wide and varied history, not only because of who owned the property over the years, but for who built it and what it subsequently became in later life. It’s one of the few country houses that survived war, recession and demolition – so it’s only fair that we honour that achievement, by … Read More
W.S. Gilbert – a man of principles and passions
W.S. Gilbert was often portrayed as a gruff, prickly, disagreeable man, something he was quick to play up to, however this wasn’t always accurate. He didn’t suffer fools easily and often spoke his mind, making him confrontational –something that lost him several friendships and often caused rifts between himself and Sullivan. But Gilbert was a man of principle and he could … Read More
Great sporting moments of The British Masters
Originally founded in 1946 and entitled ‘The Dunlop Masters’, The British Masters will be coming to The Grove in Hertfordshire, this year. As we, at the Grim’s Dyke Hotel, are only a short distance away (under ten miles away), we thought we’d celebrate some of the great sporting moments it has seen so far. Great sporting moments of The British Masters The original great … Read More
Life of a Victorian writer
The Victorian era has bought us some of the most famous writers in history – Charles Dickens, William Makepeace Thackeray, the Bronte sisters, W.S. Gilbert, Robert Browning and George Bernard Shaw. These playwrights, poets and authors created works that continued to delight us, long after their deaths – but what was it really like for the Victorian writers? Victorian Literature and Overnight Celebrity It was … Read More
The British Masters: Great sporting doubles
The British Masters has a history going back 70 years. Originally the Dunlop-Metropolitan Tournament, which then continued as The Dunlop Masters, The British Masters is a prestigious and professional golfing tournament that has had many sponsors – from the original Dunlop, right through to present day Sky Sports. For 2016 The Masters is returning to The Grove in Hertfordshire. It’s the … Read More
The Victorian British Parlour – A Room with Status
When it came to selecting the most ornate room in a Victorian house, chances are it was always going to be the Parlour. It was the only room in a traditional Victorian house that was created predominantly to illustrate your wealth and status in society. And this made it the ideal place to entertain your guests. The word ‘parlour’ originated from the Latin … Read More
What would a Victorian Wedding have been like?
A Victorian wedding was a most important celebration. The day was an important one, not only for the bride and groom, but also the bride’s mother – as she’d been preparing and planning for this day since her daughter first arrived in the world. When it came to Victorian weddings, EVERYTHING was important! The attire of the bride and groom … Read More
Murder mysteries – why we love them!
One of the most popular entertainment nights we host at Grim’s Dyke hotel, is our comedy Murder Mystery evenings. You get to enjoy a 3-course meal with wine, whilst also turning amateur sleuth, as you watch a full performance from a cast of 6 or 7 professional actors. But why do we British love a good murder mystery – especially as we didn’t even invent them? … Read More
The tradition of wedding favours
When it comes to cutting back on the expense of a wedding, the favours you give away to guests could be considered a ‘nice to have’ extra that can easily be cut out altogether – but that would be a huge mistake! The History of Wedding Favours Wedding favours have a long history and a significant one at that. You’re not … Read More
The changing role of Grim’s Dyke and other estates from the bygone era
Like any country house and estate in England, Grim’s Dyke has had its fair share of changes over the years. Originally designed and built in 1870’s by Richard Norman Shaw, Grim’s Dyke has had name and owner changes, conversions and additions to its original layout – but the biggest of those changes happened at the start of World War I. … Read More